Cebu City has expanded its measures against African Swine Fever (ASF) by temporarily restricting not only the entry but also the movement of live hogs, pork, pork products, and swine by-products within the city.
Mayor Nestor Archival signed Executive Order No. 87, Series of 2026, adopting Cebu Province’s ASF-related restrictions and adding further safeguards to prevent the spread of the disease.
The order took effect immediately upon signing on July 10 and will remain in force until it is amended or lifted.
“African Swine Fever continues to pose a serious threat to the swine industry and the food supply chain, thereby necessitating immediate preventive and containment measures,” the executive order stated.
The directive adopts Provincial Executive Order No. 39, which prohibits the entry into Cebu of live hogs, pork, and pork products from Negros Island and other areas affected by ASF.
However, the city’s order goes further by restricting the movement of live swine, locally produced pork, pork products, and swine by-products within Cebu City as part of wider biosecurity measures.
The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) may allow the movement of regulated products only if shipments comply with national regulations and have complete veterinary permits, shipping documents, laboratory certifications, and other required clearances.
The DVMF was also tasked to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry, National Meat Inspection Service, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Cebu Port Authority, and other agencies for inspections, quarantine operations, disease monitoring, and border control.
The order also created the Cebu City ASF Task Force, which will oversee the city’s ASF prevention and containment efforts.
The task force will be led by the DVMF and will include representatives from the City Agriculture Office, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Legal Office, Cebu City Police Office, City Traffic Operations Management Office, Bantay Dagat, Public Information Office, Bureau of Animal Industry-Veterinary Quarantine Services Region VII, Department of Agriculture, Cebu Port Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Cebu City Hog Raisers Association, and Central Visayas Pork Producers Association.
The task force will conduct inspections and surveillance at ports, checkpoints, slaughterhouses, public markets, and other possible entry points. It will also enforce quarantine protocols, issue public advisories, recommend additional measures, and submit reports on ASF prevention activities.
Under the executive order, businesses involved in the sale, processing, storage, or distribution of live swine and pork products must maintain updated Veterinary Health Certificates, Shipping Permits, Meat Inspection Certificates, and other documents showing the lawful source and safety of their products.
Markets, slaughterhouses, meat shops, supermarkets, groceries, restaurants, hotels, and similar establishments are also required to report suspected ASF cases and violations to the DVMF and ASF Task Force within 24 hours.
Reports must include unusual swine deaths, animals showing possible ASF symptoms, undocumented pork products or live hogs, and other violations of the order.
Businesses that fail to comply may face sanctions, including closure, seizure and disposal of prohibited products, revocation or non-renewal of business permits, and possible criminal charges.
The order temporarily suspends city issuances inconsistent with the new directive while maintaining previous ASF prevention measures under Executive Orders Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5, Series of 2023, unless modified.
The Cebu City Public Information Office was directed to disseminate the order and related advisories to livestock raisers, traders, transport operators, slaughterhouses, market operators, retailers, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and the public.
The expanded restrictions follow Cebu Province’s earlier 45-day ban on the entry of live hogs, fresh pork, and processed pork products from Negros Island and other ASF-affected areas after confirmed outbreaks in parts of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Photo courtesy of National Geographic Kids
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